Dominican Republic Senate approves tougher penalties for migrant trafficking

The Dominican Republic’s Senate has approved a bill that significantly toughens penalties for migrant trafficking, including prison sentences of up to 25 years. The legislation, which passed during its second reading on Tuesday, was introduced by Senator Omar Fernández of the Fuerza del Pueblo party.

A key feature of the bill is its strict stance on public officials found guilty of involvement in trafficking or smuggling migrants. In addition to any prison sentence, such officials would be barred from holding public office for up to 20 years. Fernández, a vocal advocate for stricter migration control, stressed that using public office to commit crimes that undermine national sovereignty should carry long-term consequences.

“This is not just about punishing individuals,” Fernández said. “It’s about protecting the integrity of our institutions and our borders.”

The proposal marks a significant departure from the Executive Branch’s original draft, which had recommended a five-year suspension from public service for first-time offenders and a 10-year suspension for repeat offenders. Fernández argued that those penalties did not go far enough to deter such serious crimes.

The bill now moves to the Chamber of Deputies for further debate and approval. If enacted, it would represent one of the Dominican Republic’s strongest legal measures to date against human smuggling networks.

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Migrant trafficking remains a significant concern in the Dominican Republic, with the country serving as a source, transit, and destination for human trafficking activities. The majority of identified victims are women and children, often exploited for sex trafficking, while others are subjected to forced labor. Undocumented Haitian migrants, stateless individuals, and street children are particularly vulnerable to trafficking networks.

According to the U.S. State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, the Dominican Republic initiated 99 trafficking investigations involving 77 suspects in 2023. This marks a significant increase from the 29 investigations involving 71 suspects reported in 2022.